Drummers band
Romanian word is "dubasi"
Village's young unmarried men get organized in the drummers band. If it's a large village they group in more then one band. Their goal is to give people the good news. The baby Jesus was born. They choose a band's head and gather together at his house 4 weeks before Christmas to prepare for their Christmas Eve performance.
First, Drummers' band (dubasi) members decide the tasks for each of them. They must have a head (called vataf or voievod), one mare (who collect all gifts they receive and carry them in a large bag), dubasi (young men that beat the drums) and musicians. Musicians are people who play to taragot (a Romanian instrument similar to clarinet), sax and violin in some places.
In order to choose their songs and poetries bands' heads meet and divide each band territory. Now, they know every house they'll go, they establish the songs, the dances and hollers they'll use and start to repeat.
First, Drummers' band (dubasi) begins their carols trail in on Christmas Eve with mere house and go on visiting the houses until they reach the last one from their previously set area. They sing carols that announce the birth of Jesus Christ. But there is also a good chance to banter people's bad habits as well as to speak highly of their achievements.
They don't forget anyone. They have songs for unmarried women, for young widows, for lonely wives but also for lazy, greedy or nasty people.
Tradition says they must ask the master of the household for approval to sing. If they aren't allowed, they always have some acid hollers prepared for people in that house. In some village they even steal the house's gateway and hide it very well. So, next day, the whole village can see who was the people that refused a carol from Drummers' band (dubasi).
If they have permission they start singing Christmas carols. After the first carol has been singed in the front of house they go inside. They are invited to take place near the table, eat and drink. They sing other carols but they also have a little poetry for each member of the family.
They dance with the girls and women in that house. Before, Drummers' band (dubasi) leaves the master of household offer them gifts like sweat bred, sausages, plum brandy and money. The head of Drummers' band praises each gift and thanks the householder.
Then Drummers' band (dubasi) goes to next house and repeats the ritual till in the morning of Christmas Day.
Nowadays the Drummers' band (dubasi) tradition is extended even in cities. I get the goose flesh when I think about the latest year performance of such a band. They were awesome! A 50-60 Drummers' band beating those drums as one heart. A 50-60 men chorus singing Christmas carols. Simply wonderful.
Listen to me! It's worth every penny to see a Drummers' band show.
Previous custom: Carols' trail
Next custom: The Star
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